Quartzville Creek set for final stocking of year

With the rain that’s forecast, Quartzville Creek could come up somewhat in time for the weekend, but during the heat of the day, look for trout to be holding in the shade and the deeper holes and slots in the creek.(Photo: Henry Miller/Statesman Journal)

With the summer recreation season in full-swing, you might have a tough time avoiding the splash-and-giggle set, but if you are willing to do a little looking around, you should be able to find a quiet spot away from the crowds.

And as an added incentive, Quartzville Creek northeast of Sweet Home this week is scheduled for the final trout-stocking of the year with 2,000 keeper-sized rainbows scattered from access points along its lower length to just about the Yellowbottom Recreation Site.

Although there are some opportunities for escapees as well as non-native brookies farther upstream.

And it's a delightful drive, but better on weekdays than during the hot-weather weekend crush.

To get there, take Highway 20 east from Interstate 5 through Sweet Home and watch for the turn on the left for Quartzville Road. Once you pass Green Peter Reservoir (which is worth a stop to check out the kokanee action on the north end where the creek enters the lake), you enter the Quartzville Recreation Corridor.

The road parallels the creek along most of its length, and the trout are dropped from the bridges and other access points along the route.

Right now the creek is low and clear, so stealth and smaller presentations are recommended such as drifting single salmon eggs, garden worms or a chunk of night crawler as well as flies such as nymphs or small dry flies mornings and evenings.

Bonus: If you don't mind a longish drive, the road eventually pops out on Highway 22 east of Marion Forks.